Clarke retires hurt with hamstring injury

The only thing that could stop Michael Clarke's innings was injury, not Sri Lanka's bowlers, after the in-form Australian skipper retired hurt with a hamstring injury at Bellerive Oval on Monday.

Clarke contributed a quickfire 57 not out off 46 deliveries on day four of the first Test, with his side extending its lead over the tourists, before calling Australian physio Alex Kountouris to the middle.

Clarke could be seen stretching and then rubbing his right hamstring before leaving the field.

Cricket Australia posted on Twitter soon after that the team's medical staff were assessing a right hamstring injury.

It is the latest in a string of injuries for the Australian Test side, which lost the bowling services of Ben Hilfenhaus (side strain) in the first innings in Hobart.

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